Ihana Aguiar Severo

By Talita C.S. Silva, Letícia Zaguine, André Bellin Mariano, José Viriato Coelho Vargas, Ihana Aguiar Severo and Juan C. Ordonez

Part of the book: Alginate

By Gilvana Scoculi de Lira, Fernanda de Noronha Sertori, José Viriato Coelho Vargas, André Bellin Mariano and Ihana Aguiar Severo

Biodiversity is the expansive range of life on the Earth and the natural patterns formed by it, shaped by natural processes and the influence of human beings. This diversity comprises a large array of plants, animals, and microorganisms. Thus, natural resources are essential to humanity’s economic and social development; moreover, there is a spreading granting that biological diversity is a global asset of high benefit to all generations. The purpose of this chapter is to compile information on the use of native species for alginate extraction, with a focus on sustainable development in order to comply with legal requirements, particularly on the Brazilian Biodiversity Law. The chapter addresses issues on sustainable strategies aimed at the traceability of species and the reduction of biopiracy caused by the inappropriate use of biodiversity. Thus encouraging sustainable development through legal and sustainable exploitation of native species. Furthermore, an overview will be presented on the use of alginate extracted from different species of algae that can be used as a value-added product in different industrial sectors. Finally, providing a global legal framework and recommendations for action on the use of genetic heritage and biodiversity conservation will be a contribution of the presented chapter.

Part of the book: Alginate

By Walter José Martínez-Burgos, Roberta Pozzan, Ihana Aguiar Severo and Juan Carlos Ordonez

Cyanobacteria are a very diverse group of prokaryotic organisms that thrive in almost every ecosystem on Earth. They are predominantly photosynthetic microorganisms. Cyanobacterial bioprocesses can occur in open and closed systems and are characterized by a critical requirement for light energy, which distinguishes them from traditional routes of industrial biotechnology. The ability to mediate metabolic pathways in parallel expands their potential in environmental applications, food production, fertilizers, bioenergy, and bioactive molecules. Despite current viability constraints in the cyanobacteria-based bioeconomy, the application of process engineering approaches such as integration and intensification associated with the biorefining concept could make these technologies commercially viable in the medium term. With this in mind, the authors of this introductory chapter aim to provide an overview of the insights into the potential uses of cyanobacteria.

Part of the book: Insights Into Algae